For a puppy, I like harnesses, ideally a front clip. Eventually they can graduate to a flat collar if you like. I just like to avoid having dogs strain against their necks and this is more common in puppies and young dogs.

MarMar wrote:For a puppy, I like harnesses, ideally a front clip. Eventually they can graduate to a flat collar if you like. I just like to avoid having dogs strain against their necks and this is more common in puppies and young dogs.

But pulling or straining on a front clip harness pushes the shoulders out of alignment and causes shoulder issues. Our local dog physical therapist hates them for that reason because she treats so many shoulder injuries due to them. So what's the difference?

MarMar wrote:For a puppy, I like harnesses, ideally a front clip. Eventually they can graduate to a flat collar if you like. I just like to avoid having dogs strain against their necks and this is more common in puppies and young dogs.

But pulling or straining on a front clip harness pushes the shoulders out of alignment and causes shoulder issues. Our local dog physical therapist hates them for that reason because she treats so many shoulder injuries due to them. So what's the difference?

Sorry, I've never heard this. That's too bad. I do know there is scientific evidence showing that collars can be damaging from constant pressure. Perhaps a regular harness would be better.

MarMar wrote:For a puppy, I like harnesses, ideally a front clip. Eventually they can graduate to a flat collar if you like. I just like to avoid having dogs strain against their necks and this is more common in puppies and young dogs.

But pulling or straining on a front clip harness pushes the shoulders out of alignment and causes shoulder issues. Our local dog physical therapist hates them for that reason because she treats so many shoulder injuries due to them. So what's the difference?

Sorry, I've never heard this. That's too bad. I do know there is scientific evidence showing that collars can be damaging from constant pressure. Perhaps a regular harness would be better.

I had never heard of it before until talking to the PT. But once she mentioned it, I started paying attention to dogs wearing them, and she's totally right. The chest straps go right across the shoulders, and if the dog pulls it pushes the shoulders into weird positions.

ive had Roxy on a harness ever since i got her. shes 1 year old now and still on it. choke collar is always on her. Leash training has been a breeze for me, even on the harness. I have some of her kibble in my pocket. i start the walk by telling her to sit and give her one. then we walk.... if she pulls at all, i change direction. then she gets the idea and starts to look at me to see where im going. once she looks up at me, i reward her. this keeps her super close to my left side close to my feet.